2009 At-Home Mom Must-Haves

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Dec 30th 2008 8:00AM

This year many women will drop out of the workforce to pursue their dream of becoming an at-home mom. Others may have a temporary stint as an at-home mom due to a layoff or some other employment disruption. However you become an at-home parent in 2009, the good news is that there has never been a better time! Spending your days caring for your children is a fulfilling and worthwhile endeavor worthy of your time and effort. Embrace it! But know that it is hard work that can sometimes seem thankless.

So, as you enter 2009, here are a few must-haves for veteran and newbie at-home moms alike. On the surface, some of the items may seem frivolous, but I can assure you that they are not! Taking excellent care of yourself is a challenge for all moms, but it can be especially challenging for moms who spend the majority of their days at home in the company of small children. So to start 2009, set yourself up for success by finding ways to make things easier and by making time to take care of yourself. When you don't feel neglected, you are more likely to be the mom you want to be!

1. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Let's you keep your cool when your toddler draws on the wall.
2. Nursing covers for stress-free public feedings. I love Bebe au Lait.
3. At least one good-looking, comfy outfit you can go from home to store or school quickly. I love Barefoot Dreams clothing. Caution! They have beautiful baby products too!
4. Quality home spa products (facial mask, bath salts, creams). Pamper yourself more often and for less money. I use Mod.skin labs line for high quality, affordable products.
5. Exercise clothes that flatter your figure. Baggy sweats just make you feel like a slug. For cheap options,try Target.
6. Organic frozen cookie dough – even when I don't have time to bake, I love to feel like the "kool-aid" mom pulling warm cookies out of the oven to the oohs and ahhs of my kids. I love Better Bakes from the Immaculate Baking Co.
7. Hands-free baby carrier. Bjorn, sling, whatever fits your body.
8. Digital Camera that you know how to work and download to the computer
9. Notebook or journal for writing down those precious moments -- nothing fancy needed. Even a spiral notebook will do. No more guilt about not writing that stuff down. Keep one in the kitchen, living room and bedroom.
10. Candles and spiritual reading by my bedside. It's how I recharge my soul! (I am currently reading "Praying with Therese of Lisieux.")

p.s. Barefoot Dreams clothing can be purchased at Nordstroms - that's where I bought it. Look online for other retailers near you.

Comments (16)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

P.Cross 12-30-2008 @ 9:16AM

I don't disagree with most of your list but I take great exception to item #2. By putting a nursing cover on your "must have" list you're perpetuating the idea that nursing in public is shameful and should be hidden. If a woman is uncomfortable nursing in public then she should do whatever she needs to in order to feed her baby, but having respected bloggers pushing the idea that a nursing cover is necessary just makes it that much harder for the next woman to be comfortable nursing her baby.

Karen 12-31-2008 @ 10:53AM

Using a nursing cover only shows respect for other people's opinions that may not agree with yours. It doesn't making nursing in public right or wrong, nor does it diminish the strong views of those who want to nurse uncovered anywhere they wish. It only says that you recognize and respect the fact that not everyone feels the same way. You still nurse your baby where and when you want, and you don't offend those who are offended (for whatever reason - valid or not).

P. Cross 12-31-2008 @ 11:08AM

I don't disagree with your point on the use of nursing covers by those who wish to use them, though I think the use of nursing covers has less to do with not offending others than it does with not wishing to be the subject of censure by others. I was merely taking exception with the original blogger pushing the idea that they were necessary.

Summer 1-03-2009 @ 12:10AM

Um, I'm a mother,and I nursed my child, but I don't believe that that entitled me to just pop out a breast!!! Using a nursing cover is safe, and quite frankly shows respect for others. Trust me, even as a mom who breast-fed, I don't want to see your breast in your childs mouth in public

P. Cross 1-03-2009 @ 7:44AM

I'm a *currently* nursing mother, with a child who refuses to have her head covered when she's eating. Your desire to stare at me without the chance of seeing a breast trumps her need to eat? If you don't want to see us nurse, avert your eyes!

Liz 1-18-2009 @ 9:26PM

I'm amazed that anyone can be offended by nursing covers. All nursing mothers do not need to be bare breasted simply because some mothers wish to be so. I have literally dozens of friends and acquaintances who've managed to nurse publicly and discreetly. If you can't, that's your business, but why try to force your opinions on other people?

P.Cross 1-18-2009 @ 9:41PM

That's ok, I'm amazed at my fellow human beings' inability to read for comprehension. I said I was offended that the original poster was forcing HER opinion on people by saying that a nursing cover was a must-have. I never said that people weren't allowed to use nursing covers, I never said that use of a nursing cover offended me, I said that telling people they should use a nursing cover offended me.

Liz 1-19-2009 @ 8:23AM

Since when is expressing an opinion on your own blog "forcing your opinion"?

P. Cross 1-19-2009 @ 11:24AM

At approximately the same time as expressing your opinion in the comments became "forcing your opinion".

Michele 12-30-2008 @ 9:13AM

Rachel, Don't you think these products would be good for 'all' moms; working and stay-at-home? I would love for you to write about what it is really like to raise your five children. It can't be roses ALL the time. I find parenting to be the most wonderful journey I have ever been on; but I do enjoy reading/spending time with other parents who can keep it real.

Brandi 12-30-2008 @ 10:47AM

I agree with your list, have and will do most of what you suggest. I really liked the clothing line but the site has no store locator or how to order on line. Wondering if that can be clarified.

Chere 12-30-2008 @ 12:39PM

Great tips Rachel. I am not a stay at home mom, but I can appreciate and use the suggestions. I defintley agree with the spiritual books. I am reading a great one now, it is the Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd, check it out. Happy New Year!

Chere

windex 12-30-2008 @ 10:20PM

I have been a stay-at-home mom for a while now and I agree with most. My own personal thing is that though the Magic Erasers are the best thing invented for getting marks off - I have read a couple of articles about some nasty chemicals in them so I do not use them just in case the articles are right (I am trying to find the link for readers - I'll post it if I find it).

penny 12-30-2008 @ 10:52PM

I googled the magic erase just in case, and all I found was a snopes article, I guess you can read into it what you want...
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/eraser.asp

cookingfordads 1-02-2009 @ 9:44PM

How about a night off from a cooking and get a Cooking for Dads DVD? :-) I also love the clothes at Target, especially the shoes. Peace, Rob

lovechilde 1-08-2009 @ 12:12AM

Love the list. Will check it off twice. Message to P. Cross: there's a great product called Moboleez or Mobeleez. It's a hat that you put on the nursing baby. I am pregnant with baby #3. I nursed the previous 2 and hated covering them up especially in the summertime. I felt like I was suffocating them. But I did it anyway because I personally, think it's rude to nurse in the middle of the food court at the mall without being covered up or discreet. It makes the people you're with uncomfortable and it makes people around you uncomfortable. But I digress. With Mobeleez, you put the hat on the baby and it shields everything. None the wiser.